Mazda CX-7 Recall For Loss of Steering Control

Mazda Announced an important recall for the now discontinued CX-7. The Mazda CX-7 was a compact crossover made from 2007-2012. The full breadth of the production years for the vehicle are being recalled for a possible loss of steering control.

NHTSA says in its recall notice 16V593000 that the production time for the affected vehicles runs from February 2006 through May 2012. Almost 200,000 CX-7 are included in the recall.

The problem is that the ball joints of the CX-7 could allow in water. In states where salt is used as a snow and ice treatment, the ball joints could corrode and result in a failure of the part. Ball joints are part of the front suspension of a vehicle and if they separate the wheel can be uncontrolled. A loss of steering control can result leading to a crash.

Mazda plans to notify owners by mail. Dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. However, parts are not currently available.

Mazda plans a tiered response to the issue. Mazda will first send interim notices to owners beginning around October 10, 2016. Follow-up notices will be sent when parts are available. Mazda will first address currently registered in snowy states. The first states that will be covered include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia. West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

You can check to see if your Mazda is covered by this recall at this link. Mazda’s recall number for this is 9716H.